Iraq

Best places to visit in Iraq

Iraq Essentials

Iraq’s historical landscape spans from the ancient Mesopotamian archaeological site of Kutha to the 9th-century Abbasid architecture of Samarra, home to the iconic spiral Malwiya Minaret and the Al-Askari Shrine. This selection also includes the remote As Slman desert fortress in Al-Muthanna and the natural scenery of the Sirwan River near Sazan. These sites reflect a mix of early Islamic engineering, significant religious heritage, and the varied topography of the Tigris and Euphrates basins.

Iraq Essentials — Map

Jim Gordon / CC BY 2.0

A

Malwiya

The Great Mosque of Samarra is a mosque from the 9th century CE located in Samarra, Iraq.

Toushiro / Public domain

B

Imam hadi and Imam Askari holy shrine

Al-Askari Shrine, the 'Askariyya Shrine, or Al-Askari Mosque is a Shia Muslim mosque and mausoleum in the Iraqi city of Samarra 125 km from…

C

Kutha

Kutha, Cuthah, Cuth or Cutha, modern Tell Ibrahim, formerly known as Kutha Rabba, is an archaeological site in Babil Governorate, Iraq.

Ershad Nasr / CC-BY-SA

D

Sirwan River,Sazan Village

Natural area featuring the Sirwan River and waterfalls near the village of Sazan, situated along the border region between Iraq and Iran.

E

as slman jail

A historic desert fortress and prison located in the Al-Salman district of Al-Muthanna Governorate, historically used for the detention of political prisoners.

F

castel sheek majid

A historic fortress located in the Samarra region of the Saladin Governorate.

G

Tryq mrkz mdynt alsmawh

A scenic viewpoint offering vistas of the landscape approaching the city center of Samawah.